Charging terminal

ABSTRACT

A battery-powered device comprising a power input providing power to the device is described herein, with a housing having an opening for receiving a smartcard. There may be at least one electrical contact within the housing, the at least one electrical contact connected to the power input. There is also provided a power supply for one or more battery-powered devices each having at least one electrical contact within a housing configured to make contact with a smartcard introduced into an opening in the housing, the power supply comprising a power input (e.g., a wire or circuit). There may be an electrical output connected to the power input. One or more paddles may be included, each having at least one electrode connected to the electrical output, wherein each paddle is configured to enter an opening of a battery-powered device for receiving a smartcard, wherein the at least one electrode is configured to provide electrical power from the power input to the at least one electrical contact to provide electrical power the battery-powered device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/346,973, filed May 2, 2019, which claims priority to PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/GB2017/053358, filed Nov. 8, 2017, which claims priority toUnited Kingdom Application No. 1618810.4 filed Nov. 8, 2016, herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a battery powered device and powerdelivery terminal or dock and in particular, a portable payment terminaland charging system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile Point of Sale terminals have a battery which needs to be chargedperiodically. These devices therefore need a way to accept power(typically 5V). This can be done with a cable, such as a USB cable, orwith a charging dock. Use of a USB cable may be appropriate foroccasional use, but for larger retailers a charging dock is morereliable and convenient. Terminals may be stored on the dock when not inuse, may be added and removed quickly and easily and may be charged morerapidly than by using a USB port.

Use of fast-charge docks (with increased current) requires connectionpoints on the terminal and on the dock. This may require at least theterminals or dock to have some form of spring-loaded contacts. This addscost to both to the terminal and to the dock, makes the mechanicaldesign of both parts more complicated and challenging and may detractfrom the appearance of the terminal. The size of mobile terminals mayalso be of key importance and the addition of changing contacts canincrease the size of the terminal.

Charging contacts may also become dirty or damaged and this can resultin failure of the terminal or charging process.

Another problem that may be encountered for larger businesses is theneed to simultaneously charge several terminals. This may require dockswith several sets of contacts, which increases the size of the docktaking up room in a retail environment (e.g. on or behind a paymentdesk).

Therefore, there is required a device and system that overcomes theseproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device, portable device, or battery-powered device contains aninterface including electrical contacts providing the device with theability to interact electronically with a smartcard. A smartcard may beformed from an integrated circuit or chip and contacts embedded within asupport formed from a plastics material. In particular implementationsthe smartcard is a payment card, such as a credit or debit card thatfacilitates “chip” transactions. The device has a slot, aperture oropening for inserting the smartcard and the electronic contacts withinthe device touch electrodes or pads on the surface of smartcard wheninserted.

Typically, the electronic contacts only make contact with the smartcard.The electronic contacts are therefore protected or hidden to avoiddamage or dirt from interfering with them. When the device requirespower (e.g. to charge a battery or provide power to run electronicprocesses or provide power to other connected devices) then one or moreof the electrical contacts may also accept electrical power, which maythen be used to charge the battery and/or provide power for otherfunctions.

In one implementation, the particular electrical contact or contactsmake contact with electrodes on a smartcard that may be redundant (oronly used for particular purposes). Nevertheless, a smartcard reader mayneed to provide electrical contacts for all smartcard electrodes. Afurther option is for one or more contacts to be powered with the samevoltage (e.g. a positive or negative voltage). Another part of thedevice (e.g. plate or chassis) may receive the opposing voltage (e.g. 0Vor ground). DC or AC current may be used.

Where the device is a payment terminal then the same aperture or slotthat receives payment cards may also be used to provide electrical powerthrough the same contacts used to interface with a smartcard or otherintegrated circuit or through dedicated or separate power contactswithin the same space as that is used to receive the payment cards (i.e.that would not contact pads on the payment card or smartcard).

A corresponding power, charging terminal or dock provides one or moreplanar protrusions, plates, or paddles that are inserted into the device(again through the same aperture as used to receive a smartcard). Theplanar protrusions may have at least a part of them that may have theshape and size of a smartcard with powered electrodes located at aposition may that be taken by one or smartcard contact pads on a paymentcard (or at least one or more of the electrodes). Alternatively, theplanar protrusions have a different shape but still fit in to theaperture. The planar protrusion then takes the place of the payment cardor smartcard when inserted into the device and the powered electrode orelectrodes take the place of contacts on the surface of the smartcard.Electrical power is then provided to the device through the poweredelectrodes into the electrical contact or contacts within the device.This removes the need to have a separate charging interface, springloaded contacts or other apertures in the device. This can beparticularly important for fast or high current charging. The smartcardinterface within the device may be designed for many thousands orhundreds of thousands of insertions. Therefore, the device may have amore robust charging interface then a dedicated charging port.Alternatively, the powered electrodes may be located at a position thatcorresponds with another location (i.e. not corresponding with thesmartcard's contacts). In this case, further contact points dedicated toreceiving power may be located within the device and the electroniccontacts that usually align with the smartcard's pads are not used toreceive power.

The planar protrusion or paddle may also support the device wheninserted. Therefore, an array of planar protrusions having poweredelectrodes (on one or both sides) may provide a convenient way to chargemultiple devices. This also reduces the space needed to charge severaldevices, which may now be located very close together.

In accordance with a first aspect there is provided a battery-powereddevice comprising:

a power input providing power to the device;

a housing having an opening for receiving a smartcard;

at least one electrical contact within the housing, the at least oneelectrical contact connected to the power input. Therefore, power may besupplied without requiring a further aperture or port and the powerconnections may be kept cleaner and safer. The power input may be withinthe housing. The power input may also be regulated.

Optionally, the opening in the housing may be configured to receive apayment card having a smartcard. The opening may accept a card 53.98 mmto 55 mm or 56 mm wide and 0.76 mm thick (+/−0.1 to 0.3 mm), forexample. In one example the opening may be 55-70 mm wide and 2-6 mmthick. The opening may include a widened part, (e.g. an additional 21-25mm wide portion having an additional thickness of 0.5 to 1 mm or 0.5 mmto 2 mm) corresponding an area on a payment card where characters areembossed (e.g. card number, name and expiry date on a payment card). Asmartcard aperture is used to supply power to the device. Therefore, anyaperture which can take and talk to an ISO7816 card may be usedregardless of size or shape.

Optionally, the at least one electrical contact may be furtherconfigured to electrically connect to at least one conductive pad on thesurface of a smartcard introduced into the opening of the housing.Therefore, the electrical contact of the device may have a dual use ofconnecting to smartcard pad (either used or redundant) and connecting toa power supplying electrode.

Advantageously, the at least one electrical contact may be furtherconfigured to make contact with (or pass over) a non-conductive regionon the surface of a smartcard introduced into the opening of thehousing. In other words, in this particular example implementation, as asmartcard is inserted into the opening then the electrical contact(s)within the device only makes contact with (or passes over) an insulatingpart of the smartcard both during the insertion procedure and when it isfully inserted. When a charging paddle is inserted, its own powersupplying electrodes may then similarly miss the contacts within thedevice intended to make electrical contact with the pads on thesmartcard.

Optionally, the at least one electrical contact may be furtherconfigured to electrically connect to a paddle introduced into theopening of the housing, wherein the paddle is arranged to provideelectrical power to the at least one electrical contact.

Optionally, the smartcard may be an ISO/IEC 7816 or equivalent paymentcard.

Optionally, the battery-powered device may further comprising aconductive plate separated from and opposite to the at least oneelectrical contact, the conductive plate connected to an electricalground (or a power line) of the battery-powered device. Other metal orconductive parts within the device may also be used as a power or groundcontact.

Optionally, the battery-powered device may be a portable paymentterminal.

Optionally, the battery-powered device may further comprise an interfaceconfigured to supply electrical power received from the at least oneelectrical contact to a second device. In one example, the second devicemay be an additional or second battery that may receive power when thedevice is charging and supply power to the device when the device is notcharging and/or when the device's primary battery is low or exhausted.

Optionally, the battery-powered device may further comprise a circuitconfigured to control or manage the electrical power provided to thesecond device.

Optionally, the control may include limiting the electrical powerprovided to the second device in favour of charging a battery within thebattery-powered device, limiting the electrical power to charge thebattery within the battery-powered device in favour of providingelectrical power to the second device and/or preventing electrical powerfrom reaching the second device.

Optionally, the battery-powered device may further comprise a connectorfor attaching the second device.

Optionally, the battery-powered device may further comprise a case forjoining the battery-powered device to the second device.

Optionally, the interface may be a USB interface.

Optionally, the battery-powered device may further comprise a battery inelectrical contact with the power input. The battery may be rechargeable(e.g. Lithium ion).

Optionally, the at least one electrical contact may be a spring-loadedcontact, copper, nickel and/or gold plated.

Optionally, the opening may be configured to accept an ISO 7810 ID-1type card entered edge-wise. The opening may be flared or widened (andthen narrowed to guide in a card) to more easily accept a card orpaddle.

Optionally, the battery-powered device may further comprise a batterycharging circuit connected to the power input.

Preferably, the at least one electrical contact within the housing maybe configured to make contact with a smartcard introduced into theopening of the housing.

Optionally, the contact between the electrical contact and the smartcardmay be an electrical connection. The electrical contact may make anelectrical connection with a corresponding contact pad on the smartcardor may not be in electrical contact (only physical contact) with thesmartcard.

In accordance with a second aspect, there is provided a power supply,dock, charging dock or charging terminal for one or more battery-powereddevices each having at least one electrical contact within a housingconfigured to make contact with a smartcard introduced into an openingin the housing, the power supply comprising:

a power input (e.g. a wire or circuit);

an electrical output connected to the power input; and

one or more paddles, each having at least one electrode connected to theelectrical output, wherein each paddle is configured to enter an openingof a battery-powered device for receiving a smartcard, wherein the atleast one electrode is configured to provide electrical power from thepower input to the least one electrical contact to provided electricalpower the battery-powered device. This (and its variations) may be usedwith and combined with any one or more of the previously describedbattery-powered devices.

Optionally, the power supply may further comprise a battery chargingcircuit, current and/or voltage regulation circuit connecting the powerinput to the electrical output.

Optionally, the plate may be a non-conductive paddle.

Optionally, the paddle may be formed from a plastics material. Othermaterials may be used including metal, composite, ceramics, etc.

Optionally, the paddle may have a width and/or thickness of an ISO 7810ID-1 type card. Its length may be shorter than an ID-1 type card (or anyother length), and wherein the at least one electrode may be located onthe paddle at a position corresponding with a location of a smartcard onthe ID-1 type card (or at another location).

Optionally, the ID-1 type card may be an ISO/IEC 7816, payment card orID card or equivalent card.

Optionally, a plurality of similar paddles may be arranged spaced apartand parallel to each other. For example, this may be as a line, grid orin a linear series.

Optionally, the paddles may be spaced apart to accommodate a pluralityof battery-powered devices to be placed on each paddle with a paddleinserted into the opening of each housing and charged simultaneously.

Optionally, the one or more paddles and electrodes may be formed fromprinted circuit boards.

Optionally, the one or more paddles may have two electrodes located onopposite faces. Both electrodes may be on the same side in otherexamples.

Optionally, the output may be configured to provide one electrode with5V and the other electrode is grounded.

Optionally, the grounded electrode may be configured to make electricalcontact with a conductive paddle separated from and opposite to theplurality of electrical contacts within the battery-powered device.

Preferably, the power supply may further comprise a regulator circuitarranged to regulate electrical power supplied to the power input.

Optionally, the regulator circuit may be disconnectable from the powerinput. This may be an electrical plug and socket, for example.

It should be noted that any feature described above may be used with anyparticular aspect or embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention may be put into practice in a number of ways andembodiments will now be described by way of example only and withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a schematic diagram of typical smartcard contacts;

FIG. 1B shows a schematic diagram of a payment card supporting thesmartcard contacts of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 shows a view of a battery powered device and a portion of acharging system;

FIG. 3 shows a portion of the charging system shown in FIG. 2 ;

FIGS. 4A to 4D show a series of images illustrating the insertion of aportion of a charging system into a part of the battery powered deviceof FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of an edge of the batterypowered device and charging system of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the charging system of FIG. 5with a further battery powered device arrangement including two deviceslinked by a connector;

FIG. 7 shows an expanded sectional view of the connector of FIG. 6 ; and

FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a portion of the charging system ofFIG. 2 , including electrical contacts found within the battery powereddevice.

It should be noted that the figures are illustrated for simplicity andare not necessarily drawn to scale. Like features are provided with thesame reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A point of sale (POS) terminal has a smartcard connector, which containsspring-loaded contacts. This is used to power and communicate with acustomer's smartcard during a transaction. Some smartcard connectorsalso contain a metal plate or chassis on the opposite side of the cardto the contacts. Three of the eight contacts (C4, C6 and C8) are not orrarely used by payment cards or POS terminals and so may be used toaccept power. The metal plate, if present may also be used in a similarway.

An example implementation is shown, where docking the terminal connectssmartcard contacts C4 and C8 to 5V, and connects the metal plate in theconnector to 0V (GND). Charging current therefore flows from a powersupply, into C4 and C8, into the terminal (and its battery) and back tothe power supply via the metal plate.

The charging station or dock may have one or multiple charging “paddles”or plates, with 5V on one side and 0V on the other provided by surfaceelectrodes. Each terminal may be placed on a paddle. This arrangementallows numerous terminals to be placed one behind the other in a smallfootprint and does not require the dock to be attached to a counter orwall.

The paddles may be made of various materials, but one example isstandard double-sided printed circuit board.

The figures illustrate this example implementation in more detailalthough other alternative configurations or combination of features(i.e. picked and combined with any example) may be used.

FIG. 1A shows a schematic diagram of a a series of contact pads orelectrodes 20. These contact pads 20 provide electrical connectivitywhen inserted into a reader to provide a communication interface betweena smartcard and a host, such as a POS terminal, for example. Suchsmartcards may conform to an international standard such asISO/IEC7816-2: 2007, which defines the dimensions and locations ofcontacts on an integrated circuit card that may be used with an ID-1card type (e.g. payment or ID card). FIG. 1A shows an example pin layoutof the contact pads 20 and their uses or assignments.

It is noted that at least contacts C4 and C8 are unused or unassigned inthis example.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic diagram of a payment card 30 with smartcardcontact pads 20 described with reference to FIG. 1A. Again, the locationand orientation of the smartcard 10 within the payment card 30 mayconform to an international standard (e.g. ISO/IEC7816-1 to 15).

Therefore, smartcard readers such as payment terminals, ATM machines andother devices may have corresponding contacts to interface with thecontact pads 20 of the smartcard 10. Whilst not all contact pads orelectrodes 20 may be required for use in a transaction, terminals andinterfaces within terminals often retain the ability to make individualcontact with these pads for potential future purposes.

FIG. 2 shows an example card reader, terminal or device 100 thatincludes a screen 120, a keypad 130 and a slot or aperture 140 foraccepting a payment card 30 having a smartcard 10. In this diagram, aportion of a power or charging terminal or dock fits into the slot 140where the payment card 30 would usually be inserted. This portion of thecharging dock takes the form of a plate or paddle 110, which has thethickness and width of a payment card 30 (e.g. a credit card or debitcard). The paddle 110, when inserted into the payment terminal 100 maysupport the payment terminal 100 in an upright or substantially uprightposition with the slot or aperture 140 facing down towards a table,counter, till or the ground. Whilst this example uses a payment terminal100, the same principle may be used with any device that requires power,such as a battery powered or non-battery powered device or portabledevice, for example. In an example implementation the device 100includes a reader module for interfacing with a smartcard.

FIG. 3 shows the paddle 110 in more detail and includes a singleelectrode 200 on a front face of the paddle 110. A further electrode isalso formed on the opposing or rear face of the paddle 110, but this isnot shown in this figure. The electrode or electrodes 200 are located onthe paddle 110 so that when the device 100 receives the paddle 110through its aperture, opening or slot 140, then the electrode 200 makescontact with one or more electrical contacts within the device 100 thatwould otherwise make contact with one or more of the contact pads 20 ofthe smartcard 10. As shown in this example implementation, the electrode200 supplies a DC current to the contact or contact pads of thesmartcard 10. In this example, the voltage is 5V, but other voltages andpolarities (−ve or +ve) may be used.

Other components of the charging dock are not shown in this particularfigure, but may include a power supply, voltage regulator, chargingcircuit or other electronic components to provide electrical power tothe electrode 200 on the paddle 110. Such a circuit (not shown in thisfigure) may also detect the presence of a device 100 and initiate powerto the electrode 200 in response, for example. Whilst the charging dockmay regulate the power or include a charging circuit, such regulationmay instead or additionally take place within the device. In an exampleimplementation, voltage regulation may be provided by a lumpy lead orother external component.

FIGS. 4A to 4D show a series of images illustrating how the paddle 110inserts into a reader module 300 of the device 100 (not shown in thesefigures). As can be seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the reader module 300includes a series of electrical contacts (which in this case, arespring-loaded electrical contacts) 310 located on the reader module 300so that when a payment card 30 is inserted, each electrical contact 310makes contact with one of the contact pads 20 on the smartcard 10. Inthis example, there are eight contact pads 20 and eight electricalcontacts 310 within the reader module 300.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the paddle 110 is not inserted into the readermodule 300 but this illustrates that the electrode 200 will contact twoof the electrical contacts that correspond with two contact pads 20 of asmartcard 10 (the paddle 110 may be introduced from right to left intothe reader module 300 shown in this series of figures). One or more ofthe electrical contacts may be connected to a power input of the device110. The power input provides power to the device 100, which may be usedfor any purpose including charging a battery (not shown in this figure).

FIG. 4B shows the paddle 110 partially inserted into the reader module300, which now covers the electrode 200.

FIG. 4C shows a reverse side of both the reader module 300 and thepaddle 110. On this reverse side of the paddle 110, there is a furtherelectrode 330, which provides a ground or 0V supply. On the reverse oropposite side of the reader module 300 there is found a metal plate 320,which forms a part of a chassis or enclosure of the reader module 300.FIG. 4D shows the paddle 110 partially inserted into the reader module300. As can be seen from this reverse or rear view, the ground electrode330 makes contact with the metal plate 320. Therefore, 5V or a positivesupply may be provided to one or more electrical contacts of the readermodule and a ground supply of the charging dock may be provided to theground plate or metal plate 320 of the reader module 300 allowingcurrent to flow in and out of the device (not shown in this figure).

The particular electrical contacts that interface with the electrode 200of the paddle 110 may be connected to a power supply input within thedevice 100. This may be provided directly to a battery or chargingcircuit or other control electronics within the device 100 or beregulated separately. The power supply may be mains powered, such as aswitch-mode AC to DC supply.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of parts of a charging or power system 400including the charging dock 410 supporting one or more paddles 110 andan electrical supply or power input 430 (partially shown) that provideselectrical power to the electrodes (not shown in this figure) on thesurface of the paddles 110 through an edge connector or electricaloutput 440. The edge connector 440 also physically supports the plate110 and is fixed to a base of the charging dock 410. Whilst two paddles110 are shown in this example, any number of paddles may be included. Inthis diagram, a single paddle 110 supports a device 100 with the paddle110 inserted into the opening slot or aperture 140 of the device 100. Ascan be seen schematically in FIG. 5 , the paddle 110 does not need toextend fully into the device for its electrode(s) 210, 330 to makeelectrical contact with one more contacts within the device 100. Thelength of the paddle 110 may be formed accordingly. In someimplementations, the length of the paddle 110 may be such that it cannotfully enter the device 110 or the paddle 110 may be prevented fromentering far enough to hit an internal contact or micro switch (notshown in this figure) that usually registers the presence of a smartcard(e.g. a payment card). This is advantageous as the device 100 (e.g.payment terminal) does not expect to read a smartcard (e.g. process apayment) when it is being powered or charged from the dock 410 becausethe paddle 110 has not hit such a switch or other detector.

For example, the length of the paddle 110 that may be inserted into theslot or opening of the device 100 may be 25 mm (or anywhere from 5 mm to100 mm). The paddle may also have rounded corners. The radius of suchcorners (e.g. two corners) may be 2.88 mm or greater (e.g. up to orbeyond 10 mm) to help with insertion. Other shapes may be used that mayalso aid insertion (e.g. tapered edges).

It would also be possible to charge other devices, which are attached tothe device 100. Power can flow into the device 100 and the device 100can then supply power to the attached device (such as a tablet orphone).

The paddles in the charging dock may be formed from printed circuitboards (PCB), preferably but not limited to having no electroniccomponents. The dock may contain a mother-board with one or multiple PCBedge connectors. Each changing paddle PCB may then slot into themother-board connector(s). This would allow: user replacement, customerbranding (silkscreen imaging), colour changes (solder resist) andreplacement with extended versions if required (e.g. to allow for aphone or second device to be added).

FIG. 6 shows an alternative arrangement 500 of a similar charging dock410, but housing, supporting, powering and/or charging a device 100′combined with a second device 510, which in this case is a mobiletelephone such as an iPhone®. The device 100′ contains a power outputinterface 540 that may be a USB interface, for example. The mobiletelephone 510 also includes a USB interface for an iPhone® may be alightening port. A connector 530 links the two USB interfaces usingprotrusions 520 and 560 that provide electrical connections between thetwo devices.

Supports or spacers 420 are shown in FIG. 6 to stiffen the paddle 110and to support the devices 100 above a base of the dock 410. This alsoallows the second device 510 to be longer than the device 100′ withoutthe extra length of the second device 510 from interfering with the baseor surface of the dock 410 (i.e. preventing the paddle 110 from beinginserted or sufficiently inserted so that power can be supplied).However, such additional supports 420 may not be required for shorterpaddles 110 or if the device itself contains such a support (or where asecond device is absent). The supports 420 may be removable.

Power may be supplied to the device 100, 100′ to power it directly,power it and charge its battery and/or provide power to a second device510. The management or control of this power may be handled by a circuitor logic within the device 100, for example. Such management may includelogic to preferentially charge the battery partially or wholly at theexpense of restricting or preventing power from reaching the seconddevice 510, for example.

FIG. 7 illustrates this connector in further detail. The space 600between the devices may be filled with a spacer or a case (not shown inthis figure) may hold both devices together.

FIG. 8 illustrates schematically how the paddle 110 and electrode 200may overlap and make contact with some of the contact pads 20 (C4 andC8), whilst leaving the other contact pads 20 untouched or notcontacted.

As will be appreciated by the skilled person, details of the aboveembodiment may be varied without departing from the scope of the presentinvention, as defined by the appended claims.

For example, different voltages may be supplied. The plate may be formedfrom metal or laminated material. The paddles may be removable. Chargingstatuses may be shone on the dock. Whilst a charging terminal or dockhas been described, this device may provide power for other oralternative purposes (e.g. to operate a device or to provide power forother functions, such as powering one or more devices connected to thedevice placed on the dock). The term paddle may refer to a substantiallyflat, planar, rigid or semi-rigid member. It may be formed from singlepierce or be laminated to improve strength and robustness. The powerreceiving contact within the device may alternatively not make anycontact at all with a smartcard introduced within the opening of thedevice. In this case, the opening simply has a dual use of receiving asmartcard and for receiving power. The implementation where thesmartcard contact(s) within the device also receives power from the dockmay use any of the features or options described with reference to theexample implementation of a separate power-receiving contact and viceversa. Whilst the examples provided above describe a device having anaperture that receives at least a complete end of a smartcard (i.e.enclosing two corners of the smartcard) other devices that read orreceive smartcards may be used. For example, a device that only receivesone corner or even only a part of an edge of a smartcard (or has such areceiving slot) may also receive electrical power in a similar way tothe described system and dock.

Many combinations, modifications, or alterations to the features of theabove embodiments will be readily apparent to the skilled person and areintended to form part of the invention. Any of the features describedspecifically relating to one embodiment or example may be used in anyother embodiment by making the appropriate changes.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A battery-powered device comprising: apower input providing power to the battery-powered device; a housinghaving an opening for receiving a smartcard; at least one electricalcontact within the housing, the at least one electrical contactconnected to the power input, an interface configured to supplyelectrical power received from the at least one electrical contact to asecond device; and a regulator circuit configured to regulate electricalpower supplied to the power input, wherein the at least one electricalcontact is further configured to electrically connect to a paddleintroduced into the opening of the housing, wherein the paddle isarranged to provide electrical power to the at least one electricalcontact.
 2. The battery-powered device of claim 1, wherein the at leastone electrical contact is further configured to electrically connect toat least one conductive pad on a surface of the smartcard introducedinto the opening of the housing or wherein the at least one electricalcontact is further configured to make contact with a non-conductiveregion on the surface of the smartcard introduced into the opening ofthe housing.
 3. The battery-powered device of claim 1, wherein theopening in the housing is configured to receive the smartcard that is apayment card and/or wherein the opening is configured to accept an ID-1type card entered edge-wise and/or wherein the smartcard conforms toISO/IEC
 7816. 4. The battery-powered device of claim 1 furthercomprising a conductive plate separated from and opposite to the atleast one electrical contact, the conductive plate connected to anelectrical ground of the battery-powered device.
 5. The battery-powereddevice of claim 1 further comprising a circuit configured to control theelectrical power provided to the second device, wherein the controlincludes limiting the electrical power provided to the second device infavor of charging a battery within the battery-powered device, limitingthe electrical power to charge the battery within the battery-powereddevice in favor of providing electrical power to the second deviceand/or preventing electrical power from reaching the second device. 6.The battery-powered device of claim 1 further comprising a connector forattaching the second device and/or a case for joining thebattery-powered device to the second device.
 7. The battery-powereddevice of claim 1, wherein the interface is a USB interface.
 8. Thebattery-powered device of claim 1 further comprising a battery inelectrical contact with the power input and/or a battery chargingcircuit connected to the power input.
 9. The battery-powered device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one electrical contact is a spring-loadedcontact.
 10. A power supply for one or more battery-powered devices eachhaving at least one electrical contact within a housing configured tomake contact with a smartcard introduced into an opening in the housing,the power supply comprising: a power input; an electrical outputconnected to the power input; one or more paddles, each having at leastone electrode connected to the electrical output, wherein each paddle isconfigured to enter an opening of a battery-powered device for receivingthe smartcard, wherein the at least one electrode is configured toprovide electrical power from the power input to the least oneelectrical contact to provide electrical power to the battery-powereddevice and/or one or more devices connected to the battery-powereddevice; and a regulator circuit arranged to regulate electrical powersupplied to the power input.
 11. The power supply of claim 10 furthercomprising a battery charging circuit, current and/or voltage regulationcircuit connecting the power input to the electrical output.
 12. Thepower supply of claim 10, wherein the paddle is a non-conductive paddleand wherein the paddle is formed from a plastic material.
 13. The powersupply of claim 10, wherein the paddle has a width of an ID-1 type card.14. The power supply of claim 10, wherein the at least one electrode islocated on the paddle at a position corresponding with a location of atleast one conductive pad of the smartcard on an ID-1 type card, whereinthe ID-1 type card is an ISO/IEC 7816 or payment card.
 15. The powersupply of claim 10, wherein a plurality of the paddles are arrangedspaced apart and parallel to each other, wherein the paddles are spacedapart to accommodate a plurality of battery-powered devices to be placedon each plate with the one or more paddles inserted into the opening ofeach housing and charged simultaneously.
 16. The power supply of claim10, wherein the one or more paddles and electrodes are formed fromprinted circuit boards and/or wherein the one or more paddles have twoelectrodes located on opposite faces.
 17. The power supply of claim 16,wherein when the one or more paddles have electrodes located on oppositefaces, the output is configured to provide one electrode with a positivevoltage supply or a negative voltage supply and the other electrode isgrounded, wherein the grounded electrode is configured to makeelectrical contact with a conductive plate separated from and oppositeto the plurality of electrical contacts within the battery-powereddevice.
 18. The power supply of claim 10, wherein the regulator circuitis disconnectable from the power input and/or wherein the regulatorcircuit is a switched mode circuit, an AC to DC converter, and/orincludes a transformer.
 19. A system comprising a battery-powered deviceand a power supply for one or more battery-powered devices, the powersupply comprising: a power input; an electrical output connected to thepower input of the power supply; one or more paddles, each having atleast one electrode connected to the electrical output, wherein eachpaddle is configured to enter an opening of the battery-powered devicefor receiving a smartcard, wherein the at least one electrode of the oneor more paddles is configured to provide electrical power from the powerinput of the power supply to the least one electrical contact of the oneor more paddles to provide electrical power to the battery-powereddevice; and a regulator circuit arranged to regulate electrical powersupplied to the power input of the power supply; and the battery-powereddevice comprising: a power input providing power to the battery-powereddevice; a housing having an opening for receiving the smartcard; atleast one electrical contact within the housing, the at least oneelectrical contact within the housing being connected to the power inputof the battery-powered device; and an interface configured to supplyelectrical power received from the at least one electrical contactwithin the housing to a second device.